Eminem to Open MTV’s Video Music Awards

The Rapper is also up for eight Moonmen, including Video of the Year

The MTV Video Music Awards opening performance is typically one of the most anticipated parts of the annual show, and this year’s kick-off should live up to that: Eminem will jumpstart the 2010 VMAs this Sunday (9 PM EST) at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. And you can expect the rapper (and recent SPIN cover star) to take home a Moonmen or two: Em is up for eight nominations, including Video of the Year and Best Hip-Hop Video for Recovery’s “Not Afraid.”

Em, who delivered an epic hometown show with Jay-Z in Detroit last week, won’t have much time to rest after his appearance. He will immediately fly from Los Angeles to New York City for a gig with Jay-Z at Yankee Stadium the following day. Eminem didn’t seem too happy with his stacked schedule, joking last month, “Apparently, MTV doesn’t care that I have two massive stadium shows on the other side of the country the day after the VMAs. F me, right? I mean, I’ll be [at the VMAs], but don’t expect me to be nice about it.”

Lady Gaga leads the pack with thirteen VMA nominations, including Video of the Year for both “Telephone” and “Bad Romance,” while Paramore, Kanye West, Drake, and Florence and the Machine are among this year’s performers.

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